SAN MARCOS, San Diego County — November 4, 2026. One of the closest reported municipal contests in the county is San Marcos City Council District 2, where Justin Matsushita leads Lindsey Smith by eight votes in a later unofficial vote summary.
Eight-vote margin
The San Diego County election-results overview lists Justin Matsushita with 3,137 votes (50.1%) and Lindsey Smith with 3,129 (49.9%). That is a difference of eight votes across 6,266 counted candidate votes. Additional legal ballots may reverse the ranking; the race should not be called for either candidate.
District 1 has a separate outcome
In San Marcos Council District 1, Maria Nuñez has 1,836 votes (70.1%) compared with Thomas Gabriele’s 784 (29.9%). Different residential council districts have different electorates; the citywide mayoral race is also separate.
Another close San Marcos election
In the later mayoral tally, Sharon Jenkins holds a 36-vote advantage over Mike Sannella. California58 has updated its earlier mayoral article to identify the changing preliminary lead and has not declared a winner.
Sources: San Diego County results compilation and San Diego County Registrar’s explanation of election-night reporting. Preliminary numbers as of November 4, 2026.
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